We stood in silence for a few moments after the demon's body disappeared completely. The ground was too clean, as if nothing had happened, and that was more unsettling than any direct battle. There were no remains, no physical clues, only the confirmation that we were dealing with something far beyond ordinary creatures.
"So that's how they deal with failures," Scarlett said, looking at the empty spot.
"Or with risks," Vespera added, maintaining her calm tone.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms, clearly dissatisfied. "That means we won't be able to extract information easily."
"Not that way," I replied. "But we've already learned enough for now."
Lyannis tilted her head slightly, smirking. "Already stopping? It was just starting to get interesting."
Liriel shot her a serious look. "If we keep advancing without fully understanding, we'll end up surrounded."
"She's right," said Elara, watching the horizon. "The presence has increased since the last encounter."
That caught my attention immediately. "Increased how much?"
"Not in visible numbers," she replied. "But in feeling. Like we're being… guided."
Scarlett frowned. "They're pulling us in."
Rai'kanna gave a faint smile. "Then let's go all the way."
"No," I said firmly.
They all looked at me.
I took a deep breath before continuing. "That's exactly what they want."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow. "You want to retreat?"
"Yes."
Silence fell heavily for a moment.
Rai'kanna was the first to react. "After all this?"
"Because of all this," I replied. "We broke their pattern. We captured one. They responded immediately."
Vespera nodded slightly. "And efficiently."
"Yes. No hesitation. No waste."
Liriel crossed her arms. "That means we're being analyzed right now."
"We already were before," Scarlett said. "But now they have more information."
I looked at each of them before continuing. "If we advance now, we'll be playing at their pace."
Elara stepped forward. "And the pace isn't ours."
Rai'kanna let out a sigh, clearly frustrated. "So we're just going back?"
"Not just," I replied. "Tactical retreat."
Lyannis smiled faintly. "Now that I want to see."
"We're going to change position, reorganize, and observe from another angle. They expect us to advance. So we break that."
Vespera nodded. "Makes sense."
Scarlett relaxed her posture slightly. "And it gives us time to think."
Liriel added, "And to avoid being caught on unfavorable terrain."
Rai'kanna looked north for a few seconds, then turned back to me. "Fine. But next time, we push for real."
"Next time, we win for real," I replied.
She smiled.
With the decision made, we began moving back, but not in a disorganized way. Every step was controlled, alert. It wasn't fleeing, it was repositioning.
The environment felt heavier as we moved away.
"Do you feel that?" Scarlett asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"Like we're leaving their field of vision," said Elara.
"Or entering another," Vespera added.
Lyannis laughed softly. "This just keeps getting better."
Liriel ignored the comment. "Takumi, do you think they'll follow us?"
"Not immediately," I replied. "They already got what they wanted for now."
Rai'kanna narrowed her eyes. "So all of this was a test."
"It was," I confirmed.
Scarlett looked back one last time. "Then next time won't be like this."
"No," I said. "They'll come prepared."
We continued for a while longer until we found a safer area to stop. Not completely out of danger, but far enough to reorganize.
"We'll stay here for now," I said.
The group settled quickly, but no one fully relaxed.
"So what's the plan now?" Lyannis asked.
"Think," I replied.
Rai'kanna let out a low laugh. "You're getting more boring by the minute."
"Maybe," I replied. "But we're alive."
Vespera looked at me. "Did you notice anything beyond the pattern?"
I nodded. "Yes."
They all turned to me.
"They're not fighting to win small battles."
Scarlett frowned. "So the objective isn't to gain territory?"
"Not directly," I replied. "It's preparation."
Elara completed, "For something bigger."
"Yes."
Liriel crossed her arms. "So we're in the middle of a setup."
"Exactly."
Lyannis smiled. "So the general is setting the stage."
Rai'kanna clenched her fist. "And we're going to break it."
"Yes," I replied. "But not today."
Silence returned for a few moments.
Scarlett stepped a little closer to me. "You've changed."
I looked at her.
"Before, you would've advanced."
"Before, I wasn't leading a war," I replied.
She nodded.
"Now you're thinking for everyone."
"Not just thinking," Vespera said. "Carrying."
I ignored the comment, but understood its weight.
I took a deep breath and looked north once more.
The sensation was still there.
Distant.
But present.
Rai'kanna noticed.
"You still feel it."
"Yes."
Lyannis tilted her head. "And he does too."
"Yes."
Elara closed her eyes for a moment. "Then this isn't over yet."
"No," I replied.
Liriel lightly gripped her own arm. "We're closer than before."
Scarlett looked in the same direction as me.
"So the next decision…"
"Will define everything," I finished.
The wind passed again, colder this time.
And for the first time since the beginning of the war…
I chose to stop.
Not out of weakness.
But because advancing now…
Would be exactly the mistake the enemy was waiting for.
And this time…
I wasn't going to give him that.